FRESNO --- Biola's top-ranked defense faltered away from home for the first time this season as Fresno Pacific knocked off the No. 3-ranked Eagles 81-61 in a GSAC game on Tuesday night at the Special Events Center in Fresno.

Biola, fresh off its move into the No. 3 spot in the NAIA National Poll released on Monday, suffers just its second loss of the season, falling to 20-2 overall and back into a first-place tie with Concordia in the GSAC standings at 10-2. The loss was also the first loss away from Chase Gymnasium for the Eagles, who are now 9-1 outside of La Mirada.

The Sunbirds, who were receiving votes the the latest national rankings, improve to 17-5 overall and to 7-5 in the conference.

Fresno Pacific took control of the contest with a dominating first-half performance, hitting eight three-pointers in the opening stanza to provide the home side with a huge lead early on. Biola trailed by just two at 13-11 on a steal and fast-break layup by Marlon King with 13:37 to go in the first half. But the Eagles went ice-cold and Fresno Pacific took full advantage, outscoring Biola 32-10 over the rest of the half.

The Eagles put up a bit of a fight in the second half, closing the gap to 14 on a pair of occasions but the Sunbirds held strong and managed to maintain the lead the rest of the way.

All five starters for the Sunbirds finished the game in double-figures, led by All-American James Lewis, who had 20 points.

Biola received 12 points from Danny Campbell, 11 from Nate Rakestraw, and King added 10.

The game was in stark contrast to the battle between the two schools earlier in the season at Chase Gymnasium. In that game, Biola scored 61 points as well. However, the defense came through in that game as the Eagles held the Sunbirds to just 35 percent shooting and 49 points. 

The Eagles look to get back on track with a victory on Saturday (Feb. 6) as they host Vanguard University in a GSAC contest at Chase Gymnasium beginning at 7:30 p.m.